Murang’a water firms on the spot after failing to transfer ownership

Murang’a leaders have warned three water companies of dire consequences if they do not transfer their ownership to the county government.

The companies are Murang’a South Water and Sanitation Company (Muswasco), Murang’a West Water and Sanitation Company (Mwewasco) and Gatamathi Water Company.

They have not heeded a directive by the Water Services Regulatory Board (Wasreb) to have their ownership changed by the end of June.

On Saturday, county leaders said it is only when the sector is fully under the county government that they will be able to hold Governor Irungu Kang’ata to account over it.

Senator Joe Nyutu said water is a devolved function and should be under the control of the governor, who can then be held accountable by voters.

“All water firms have to comply. The Senate is on this matter and the County Public Investments Committee has told them to comply so county governments can be held accountable,” he said.

He spoke during the handing over of the ownership of Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco) to the county.

The directive was issued on May 3 to all water service providers to convert from private companies limited by guarantee to public companies limited by shares.

Wasreb ordered the firms to transfer 99 per cent of their ownership to the county government by end of June or risk having their licences withdrawn.

But delegates of the three water firms declined to heed the order, saying the county government had not demonstrated capability to handle the water sector.

They based this assertion on the poor state of other vital sectors, such as health.

Maragua MP Mary Waithera said Muwasco had set a precedent for other companies to change their ownership.

Waithera, who has been vocal on water issues in her constituency, said placing the sector under the county would make it easier for elected leaders to lobby for services.

“I made a lot of noise on it because I knew it would enable me to discuss water issues with the governor, who also sought Maragua people’s votes and made pledges to them.”

The constituency, she said, has a water coverage of only 24 per cent despite being largely semi arid.

She said the law gives the county government power to form, control and oversight water companies, and that those who don’t comply should be forced out of public utilities.

Muwasco chairperson Peter Munga asked for the county government’s support in establishing a Sh400 million water institute in a five-acre piece of land donated to locals by a resident at Ndikwe area.

The firm already runs a profitable venture of bottling water and also has plans to produce biogas from its Karii sewerage treatment plant in partnership with Murang’a University of Technology.

Tests conducted indicate that once packaged, the biogas will be half cheaper than LPG gas and will be sold to Murang’a residents.

“We have also applied for a Sh2 billion grant to increase water supply in the larger Murang’a municipality in a project we’re calling Kiawambeu 2. Support us to see these projects actualised.”

Governor Irungu Kang’ata on his part said the change of ownership will make it possible for the county government to channel funds into the company’s projects without raising audit queries.

The governor allayed fears that his administration will interfere with the running of the water company, saying workers will not be sacked as it has been rumoured.

“We will give them autonomy and will not interfere in the day-to-day running of the company,” he said.

Another firm, Gatanga Water Company, was the first to heed the directive and transfer its ownership to the county.      BY THE STAR